‘Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death’ Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: ‘Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death’-------------------------- Date: 6/4/2001 Keywords: "presence of God" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: Psalm 23:1-6* 1. A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5. Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Questions 1. This well-known psalm pictures the Lord as a shepherd. What does that make the believer in the Shepherd’s care?   2. According to this psalm, is there ever a time when the Good Shepherd abandons His sheep?   Practical help While Psalm 23:4 is often quoted at funerals (and rightly so), there is great application to the porn struggler. Many Christian men and women trapped in the web of pornography describe themselves as in a valley that approaches Death Valley proportions. No vitality. No spark. Defeated and lifeless. At the moment of defeat, Psalm 23 comes to the rescue and reminds you that there is no valley so deep that God’s presence doesn’t meet you there. He offers you escape. He assures you that there is nothing to fear, and He lends you aid with rod and staff (which sometimes means gentle correction, sometimes firm discipline, and sometimes spectacular deliverance.) The one thing the Good Shepherd will never do is abandon His sheep in their time of need. God’s presence is a very real help and a tremendous comfort in times of stress. Count on it. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2001 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."